Adjusting mechanism for varying the opening of valves



April 30, 1957 M. c. MALONEY ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR VARYING THE OPENING OF VALVES Filed Sept. 8, 1953 United States PatentO MECHANISM FOR VARYING THE OPENING F VALVES Malcolm C. Malone Wauwat osa, Wis, assignorto Allis- Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application September s, 1953, Serial No. 379,001

8 Claims. oi. 137-41 ADJUSTING This invention relates generally to a lost motion valve adjusting mechanism and more specifically to an adjusting mechanism in an elastic fluid turbine for varying the de ree of opening of motive fluid inlet valves relative to one another.

In present day elastic fluid turbines, motive fluid, preferably steam, is supplied to a fluid confining chamber, sometimes called a stearn chest, and the fluid conveyed therefrom through inlet valves to the fixed'blading. or nozzle segments of the turbine. In some types of tiltbines it is'custornary to use a steam chest or fluid confining housing in which a plurality of governor regulated inlet valves are connected by lost motion means to a lift bar so that raising or lowering the bar results in progressive opening or closing of the valves.

The governor regulated valves are usually of the disk or poppet type, and are actuated through a; lift barwhich is generally moved vertically by valve gear connected to the governor mechanism. Each valve includes a stem having a lost motion connection with the bar. The lost motion is effected by having a nut or lifting element threaded on the upper end of the valve stem in spaced relation to the bar and coa-ct-ing therewith in response' to movement of the bar. The nuts ofthe-diiierent valves 'ice It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved lost motion valve adjusting mechanism for varying the amount of lost motion therein.

Another objectof the present invention is to provide in a bar lift valve mechanism for an elastic fluid turbine an improved means for more conveniently and more quickly adjusting governor regulated motive fluidinl't are-positioned successively higher positions on the valve stems so that as the lift bar is raised, the nuts successively engage'with the lift bar, thereby providing successive opening of the valves upon'upward movement, of

thelift bar; Upon downward movement of the lift bar,-

the valves are closed in the reversecrder. Thelift bar is;

raisedor lowered by rods which are raised or lowered by any suitable governor controll'ed-valvegear, as is weil.

knownin the art. The purposeof providing successive opening-of the valves upon upward movement of the'bar -is :toadmitsteam to separate-nozzle segment-s er bladin-gina desired sequence.

When startingathe turbine, cnly-twovalves are opened.

As the" load on the turbine increases, the other valves are vary the amount oflostmotion between the-Valves and the barjb'y adjusting. the nuts onthe valvestems so that thenuts are positioned-a lesser or greater distance from the lift bar. As the lift bar is'moved upward the valvesare successively engaged sooner or later dependingon the selected position of the nuts relative to thestems, thereby admitting more or less steam tovthe-various nozzle sag-- rn'en ts' er blading's'. To make such an adjustment of the nuts; it"h-as heretofore been necessary to dismantle both the valve gear and fluid chest. To. eliminate this'dismantling whi-chlis" time consumingand-costly, applicants invention provides means an: rapidly-adjusting tlie' regul'a'tin'g .yalves through the sid eiofftie chest with'oufdismantlingthe valve gear'o'r the fluid chest.

ononeendrandadisk don the other end. Th

valves than has been heretof-ore known in the prior art. A'nother object of theinvention is to provide in a'bar lift mechanism for an elastic fluid turbine animp'roved means for adjusting the governor regulated valves without dismantling the valvegear or the fluid chest. Another object of the invention is to provide in a bar iirlt mechanism for an elastic fluid turbine 'an irnpr'oyed means for adjusting the amount of opening of the gover; nor regulated valves for a selected positionof the lift bar. Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of a valve adjusting mechanism illuslt'pating an embodimentof the inventions reference being had to the accompanying drawing,tin which: H Fig. 1 is a transverse view partly in section .througha fluid chest and the nozzle segments of an elastic fluid turbine showing the inlet valves and valve adjusting mechanism embodying the'inyention; I A p Fig. 2 is a partial enlarged view in section taken along line 11-41 of Fig. 1; 7., Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged View in section takenal g line Ill- 111 of Fig 1 showing the means for adjusting individual valve's; g i H J HZ Pig. 4 a plan view of the'bct'tom halfon lyjof th .lift

bar of Fig; 1 which houses portions of the valve ladjilst- V i'nglasse'mbly V e r j Theinvention is'shown applied; in Figl l, to a lift valve mechanism movably' rnounttedwithin .a'fluid when, ing chest or chamber 1 of anielasticifluidturbine... Motive fluid 'injhe chestzl is conveyed to the nozzle se grnents'zgand therethrough' gto blading of the t'ui'b-ine' (not shown) by means of pluralityofpassages'jorlinlet orifice nozzle segments 2 is regulated the bar lift-valve mochani'sin. bar lift mechanism comprises a" zontallydisposedjvalveliftharformed by b W I,

Mounted. cath te a a l ra i et a i 'es ra a-ana ram 5 provided with stop flange,

cooperates with ,a complementary valve seat flit) and'closef the" inlet orifice 3. The bar lift IIi m further co'mprises' lost motion means formed; by; the valve stems 5; stop flanges 7 of the valves, and threaded bush-i ings 6Q Mounted on the bar are lost motion adju ng" means comprising a gear traincooperatingwith'th' bushi p cal complementary upper"and lower 'halves9;.10havin V positionbf the valve lift bar, it has "been necessary to i portions '7 of the valves.

tran sver'sely'cf the longitudinalaxis of the b parallel to th'e longitudinal axis ofthe bar.

in'gs Got the lost motion means forvaiying the r lost motion between the bushings 6' and the stop flan e:

The valve lift bar may "comprise? substantially ninja" aplurality of aligned longitudinallyspaced circula .ing's. l-l'exten'ding therethrough from top 't-o'b-otto aligned'openings ll in the-upper and lower halves lil each have" an annular reessed portiori 1 2which" a larger radial diameter than the opening; 11, and -eg tending 'toia depth ofless thauthe depthof' the halves 9, iii. i

Bet-ween each annular recssedflportionll a"11'c1 pee": V V vertical-1y extending side. of the bar" half j is" 'anas'soc iated" semicy-lindrical recess 13"which merges with the ortion 12; The semicylindrical recesses 13*of ieach' bar ha f "are arranged in spaced rel'atioirto each-other and extend Disposed! between the adjacentends of thesemicylihdricalrecesses e disks? 13 are semicylindrical grooves 14 of a lesser diameter I The halves 9, 10 maybe fastened together by any suitable means such as a bolt 19 and nuts 18, and oppositely disposed nuts 22 oneach of the lifting rods 23. The lifting rods are actuated by any suitable known governor controlled servomotor (not shown).

The lost motion means positioned Within the aligned openings 11 in the upper and lower halves 9, 10 as hereinbefore explained each comprise the valve stem 5, the stop flange 7 of the valve and the threaded bushing 6. The bushing 6 has a smooth inner bore 29 therethrough to accommodate in sliding relation thereto the valve stem 5. The bushings 6 are keyed to the lift bar by means of keys 21 thereby preventing rotation of the bushings 6 relative to the bar, but providing for telescopic or vertical sliding movement of the bushings 6 relative to the bar. 1

The lost motion adjusting means positioned within the longitudinally spaced cavities each comprise a rotatable worm 24, and a worm wheel or nut 25. The worms 24 and worm Wheels 25 may provide an adjustable positioning means for moving the bushings 6 relative to the bar.-

The worms 24are horizontally disposed in the longitudinally spaced cylindrical cavities for-med by the semicylindrical recesses 13 of the halves 9, 10 in register. The worms each have an opening thcrethrough inhorizontal alignment with one another and with the passageway, and a helicoidal thread 28 on the outer periphery thereof.. The worm nuts 25 are positioned in the cavities definedby the annular recesses 12 in the halves 9, .10 in register. Each Worm nut 25 has an inner threaded bore 31 in threaded engagement with the complementary threaded bushing 6, and'has outer gear teeth 32 in engagement with the helicoidal thread 28 of the worm- 24.

\An opening 36 is provided in the fluid chest 1 in communicative alignment with the passageway in the lift bar and the openings 27 in the worm gears 24. The passagewayin the lift bar is provided with a stop plug 37 and the-opening 36in the fluid chest I is provided with a flange cover 38attac'hed to the fluid chest 1 by cap screws 39.

' To adjustthe amount of lost motion between each of the stop flange portions 7 and the corresponding bushing 6, the fluid turbine is shut down and the fluid shut off from the fluid chest 1. The lift bar is moved by the lift rods 23 into alignment with the opening 36 in the fluid chest 1. After the fluid chest 1 has cooled and the pressure therein has decreased to atmospheric, the flange cover 38 is detached from the fluid chest 1 by removing cap screws 39, and the stop plug 37 is: unscrewed from the lift bar to uncover the passageway. A wrench 42' having a tip portion 43 complementaryin shape to the opening 27 in the worm 2 4, and a shank portion 441013 the stop flange 7 thereby varying the possible lost motion therebetween. Having positioned the bushings 6 to provide the desired lost motion between the stop flange 7 and complementary bushing 6, the wrench 42 is withdrawn, the stop plug 37 screwed in place, and the flange cover 38 is replaced. The fluid chest 1 and turbine are ready for the admittance of fluid.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the exact details of construction, combination, and/or operation herein set forth for purposes of illustration, as various modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims may occur to. persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a lost motion valve adjusting mechanism, a bar, a valve carried by said bar and movable in two directions relatively thereto, a valve seat for limiting movement of said valve in one of said directions, a bushing encircling said valve and movable in said direc tions relatively thereto, said bushing being mounted in said bar and movable in said directions relatively thereto, said bushing being movable with said bar relatively to said valve, said valve having a portion for engaging said bushing in abutting relation thereto, said portion of said valve, said bushing and said valve seat forming lost motion means connecting said valve to said bar, said portion of said valve engaging said bushing in response to movement of said bushing in the other of said two directions beyond -a predetermined distance in response to the movement of said bar in said other of said two directions, and adjusting means operably connected with said bushing, said adjusting means being disposed in said bar for varying the position of said bushing relative to said bar thereby varying the amount of 'lost motion between said bushing and said portion of said valve.

:said valve in one of said directions, a bushing encircling said stem and relatively movable along said stem in sliding engagement therewith, said bushing being mounted in said bar to be movable with said bar relatively to said stem, said bushing, said stop flange and said valve seat forming lost motion means connecting said valve with said bar, said flange engaging said bushing in abutting relation thereto in response to the movement of said reduced diameter, is inserted through the opening 36 in V the fluid chest 1 and the passageway in the. lift bar to engage the opening 27 in one of the worms 24. The distance the wrench .42 has "to be inserted to engagethe worm openings 27 may be controlled by convenient marks 46 properly located on the shank portion 44 of the wrench. 42. Rotating the worm24. causes the worm n ut 25 torotate, and since the worm nut 25 isin threaded engagement with the bushings 6, rotationofthe worm' nut 25 causes the bushing 6 to movetelescopically rela-, tive to the bar and the associated valve stem 5. By

rotating the Worm 24 in the proper directionjthe face" end of the bushingo is moved closer to or further from bushing in the other of said two directions beyond a predetermined distance in response to the movement of said bar in said other of said two directions, an adjusting means operatively connected with said bushing, said adjusting means being disposed in said bar for varying the position of said bushing relative to said bar thereby vary-ing the amount of lost motion between said bushing and said stop flange.

3. In a lost motion valve adjusting mechanism, a bar, a valve carried by said bar and movable in two directions relative thereto, a valve seat for limiting movement of said valve in one of said directions, a bushing encircling said valve and movable in said directions relatively thereto, said bushing being mounted in said bar and movable in said directions relative thereto, said bushing being movable with said bar relatively to said valve, said valve having a portion forcngaging said bushing in abutting relation thereto, said'p'ortion of said valve, said bushing being disposed in said bar and, comprising a worm and a worm nut enclosed and axially restrained in said bar, said worm drivingly engaging said worm nut and said worth nut being in threaded engagement with said bushing for mounting saidbushing in said bar in adjustable relation thereto, whereby saitlbushing may be telescopically moved relatively to said bar and said stem to vary the amount of lost motion between said bushing and said portion of said valve.

4. In a lost motion valve adjusting mechanism, a bar, a plurality of valve units, each of said units comprising a valve movable in two directions, each of said valves comprising a stem having a' disk mounted. on one end and astop flange on the other end, a valve seat for engaging said disk and limiting the movement of said valve in one of said directions, a bushing encircling said stem and relatively movable along said stern in sliding engagement therewith, said bushing being mounted in said bar to be movable with said bar relatively to said stem, said bushi ing, said stop flange and said valve seat forming lost motioninean's connecting said valve with said bar, said flange engaging said bushing in abutting relation thereto in response to movement of said bushing in the other of said two directions beyond a predetermined distance in response to movement of said bar in said other of said two directions, and means for adjusting said lost motion means, said adjusting means being disposed in said bar and comprising a worm and a worm nut enclosed and axially restrained in said bar, said worm drivingly engaging said worm nut and said worm nut being in threaded engagement with said bushing for mounting said bushing in said bar in adjustable relation thereto, whereby said bushing may be telescopically moved relatively to said bar and said stem to vary the amount of lost motion between said bushing and said stop flange.

5. In a lost motion valve adjusting mechanism, a horizontal bar, a plurality of valve units, each of said units comprising a valve, said valve comprising a vertical stern having a disk mounted on one end and a stop flange mounted on the other end, a valve seat for engaging said disk and for limiting the movement of said valve in a downward direction, a bushing encircling said stem in axial sliding engagement therewith and mounted in said bar to be movable with said bar relatively to said stem, said bushing, said stop flange and said valve seat forming lost motion means connecting said valve with said bar, saidflange engaging said bushing in abutting relation thereto in response to movement of said bushing upward beyond a predetermined distance in response to upward movement of said bar, and means for adjusting said lost motion means comprising a worm having a hub provided with a wrench engageable bore and a worm nut enclosed and axially restrained in said bar, said worm drivingly engaging said worm nut and said bushing being in threaded engagement with said worm nut for mounting said bushing in said bar in adjustable relation thereto; said bar having a longitudinally extending channel and said bores of said hubs of said worms being disposed in alignment with said channel whereby a wrench may be inserted through said channel selectively into said hub of each of said worms to selectively rotate said worm of one of said units, thereby telescopically moving said bushing relatively to said bar and said stem to vary the amount of lost motion between said bushing and said stop flange.

6. In an elastic fluid turbine, a fluid confining chamher having internal walls defining a plurality of passages for supplying motive fluid to said turbine; a movable bar positioned within said chamber; rod means passing through a wall portion of said chamber in sealing relation thereto for movably supporting said bar; a plurality of valve units; each of said units comprising a valve associated with one of said passages for opening and closing said one of said passages to control the flow of motive fluid to said turbine; said valve being carried by said bar and movable in two directions relatively thereto, a valve seat for limiting movement of said valve in one of said directions, a bushing encircling said valve and movable in said portion of said valve, said bushing aiid said va1ve seat forming lost motion means connedting' 'said-valv t6 said bar, said portion of said valve engaging said bus hing in'response to movement of said bushiiigin' the other of said two directions beyond a predetermineddistanee response to the movement of said bar in said other of said two directions, andmeansfor adjusting: said lost motion means comprising'a worm and a worm nut enclosed axially restrained; in said bar, said-worrri-driv ingly' engaging said worm nut 'ands'a'id' worm riut being" in threaded engagement with sai'd bustn-ng for-r'nouri said bushing in said'bar in adjustable. relation-there said bushing being telescopically movable relatively' t6 said bar and said valve for varying the amount of lost motion between said bushing and said portion of said valve.

7. In an elastic fluid turbine, a fluid confining chamher having internal walls defining a plurality of passages for supplying motive walls having an opening to atmosphere, a plate detachably mounted on said one of said walls for closing said opening, a movable bar positioned within said chamber; rod means passing through a wall portion of said chamher in sealing relation thereto for movably supporting said bar, a plurality of valve units; each of said units comprising a valve associated with one of said passages for opening and closing said one of said passages to control the flow of motive fluid to said turbine, said valve being carried by said bar and movable in two directions relatively thereto, a valve seat for limiting movement of said valve in one of said directions, a bushing encircling said valve and movable in said two directions relatively thereto, said bushing being mounted in said bar and movable in said two directions relatively to said bushing, said bushing being movable with said bar relatively to said valve,'said valve having a portion for engaging said bushing in abut ting relation thereto, said portion of said valve, said bush ing and said valve seat forming lost motion means connecting said valve to said bar, said portion of said valve engaging said bushing inresponse to movement of said bushing in the other of said two directions beyonda predetermined distance in response to the movement of said bar in said other of said two directions, and means for adjusting said lost motion means comprising a worm having a hubprovided with a wrench engageable bore and a worm nut enclosed and axially restrained in said bar, said wormrdrivingly engaging said worm nut and said worm nut being in threaded engagement with said bushing for mounting said bushing in said bar in adjustable relation thereto; said bar having a longitudinally extending channel and said bores of said hubs being disposed in alignment with'said channel and said opening in said one of said walls whereby a wrench may be inserted through said opening and said channel selectively into said hub of each of said worms to selectively rotate said worm of one of said units, thereby telescopically moving said bushing relatively to said bar and said valve to vary the amount of lost motion between said bushing and said portion of said valve.

8. In an elastic fluid turbine, a fluid confining chamber having internal walls defining a plurality of passages for f supplying motive fluid to said turbine; one of said walls having an opening to atmosphere, a plate detachably chamber; rod means passing through a wall portion of q said chamber in sealing relation thereto for supporting; said bar and for verticallymoving said'bar; a plurality of 1 i valve units; each of said units comprising ,a valveiassociated with one of said passages for opening and closing fluid to said turbine, one of said,

said v one of said passages to control the flow of motive fluid to said turbine, said valve comprising a vertical stem haying'a disk mounted 'on one end and a stop flange mounted on-theother end, said valve being carried by said bar and movable in two directions relatively thereto, avalve seat for limiting movement of said valve in one of said directions, a bushing encircling said stern and movable in said directions relative thereto, said bushing being mounted in said bar and movable with said bar relatively to said valve, said bushing, said stop flange and said valve seat forming lost motion means connecting said valve, with said bar; saidflange engaging said bushing in response to movement of said bushing in the other of said directions beyond a predetermined distance in response to movement of said bar in said other of said directions, and means for adjusting said lost motion means comprising a w orm having a hub provided with a wrench engageablebore and a worm nut enclosed and axially restrained in: said bar, said worm drivingly engaging said worm nut and said bushing beinginthreaded engagement with said worm nut for mounting said bushing in said bar in adjustable relation thereto; said bar having a longitudinally extending channel and said bores of said hubs of said worms being disposed in alignment with said channel and said opening in said one of said walls whereby a wrench may be inserted through said opening and said channel selectively into said hub of each of said worms to selectively rotate said worm of one of said units, thereby telescopical- 1 moving said bushing relatively to said bar and said stem to vary the amount of lost motion between said bushing and said stop flange.

References Citedin the file of this patent 7 ,UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,147,874 j Zetterquist Feb. 21, 1939 

